Under the leadership of Tommy Lloyd, Arizona has typically rebounded strongly from tough losses, but this time, the trend was broken. On Friday night, No. 17 Arizona faced a setback, losing 69-55 to No. 12 Duke at McKale Center, marking the team’s first consecutive losses under Lloyd and the first such instance since the 2020-21 season, which was prior to Lloyd’s tenure.
The Wildcats struggled offensively throughout the game, posting a 39.6 percent shooting percentage from the field and an even lower 26.1 percent from behind the arc. Despite their strong start to the season, Arizona could not find their rhythm, going scoreless for extended periods and turning the ball over 15 times—leading to 19 points for the Blue Devils. Jaden Bradley was the standout for Arizona, contributing 18 points, followed closely by KJ Lewis with 12. However, the team’s shooting struggles included Caleb Love, who finished with eight points on a dismal 3-of-13 shooting performance.
Duke, now at 4-1, was propelled by freshman sensation Cooper Flagg, who scored 22 points, indicating his growing impact on the court. The Blue Devils capitalized on their physical play, dominating the boards and limiting the Wildcats to just six offensive rebounds, which contributed to Arizona’s troubles in scoring second-chance points.
Duke led at halftime, 34-27, managing to score consistently in the latter stages of the half while Arizona entered a scoring drought. The beginning of the second half saw Arizona trying to claw back into the game but another scoring slump allowed Duke to extend its lead. Although Arizona managed to reduce the deficit to seven points at one point, they couldn’t maintain the momentum and struggled to score down the stretch.
As Arizona prepares for the upcoming Battle4Atlantis in Nassau, Bahamas, their upcoming schedule offers a chance for redemption. Starting their three-game stretch against Davidson on Wednesday, the Wildcats will look to shake off this setback and regain their winning form.
While the loss is tough, it provides a moment for reflection and growth for the team. Transitioning to a competitive tournament setting could help Arizona evolve and build resilience moving forward. Fans can hold onto the hope that this young team, armed with talent and determination, will learn from these challenges and return even stronger in the games ahead.